California drought levels lowest since 2011

Updated 3:18 pm, Thursday, February 23, 2017

The U.S. Drought Monitor releases weekly maps of water conditions across the United States. This animation shows how the map has transformed between 2011 and 2017.

Media: MediaOS Video

After a few wet winter months, scientists said Thursday that California is 83 percent drought-free compared with just 6 percent a year ago — the lowest drought levels have been since 2011.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reported that Northern California is completely in the clear and this is the first time in four years that no part of the state is under an “extreme drought” designation.

The only counties in the state showing lingering drought indicators are in the Southern California area, primarily in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Imperial counties.

Despite the rainy weather that has caused streams and creeks to swell and an abundance of water to overflow reservoirs in California, Richard Heim, the author of the report and a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said California should still err on the side of caution when it comes to water use.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map for California as released on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map for California as released on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.

Photo: U.S. Drought Monitor

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Burney Falls is pumping an estimated 250 gallons of water per day. Burney Falls is a 129-foot waterfall that is the centerpiece of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California. It is fed by Burney Creek as well as flows from underground lava tubs that emerge as subliminal curtain flows at mid-wall. less

Burney Falls is pumping an estimated 250 gallons of water per day. Burney Falls is a 129-foot waterfall that is the centerpiece of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California. It is fed by ... more

An overturned vehicle blocks a south bound lane next to a mudslide on Highway 17 Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, south of Santa Cruz, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains swamp roads and threaten to overtop rivers and creeks. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less

An overturned vehicle blocks a south bound lane next to a mudslide on Highway 17 Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, south of Santa Cruz, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through ... more

Katherine Beam removes items from her trailer to higher ground at the Driftwood Mobile Home Park, as the Tuolumne River overflows its banks and continues to rise from water being released from Don Pedro Reservoir on Tuesday Feb. 21, 2017, in Modesto, Ca. less

Katherine Beam removes items from her trailer to higher ground at the Driftwood Mobile Home Park, as the Tuolumne River overflows its banks and continues to rise from water being released from Don Pedro ... more

Train tracks are seen underwater alongside a flooded section of Highway 37 in Novato, California on February 10, 2017. The road has been closed at least 14 days this winter due to flooding and extensive rain.

Train tracks are seen underwater alongside a flooded section of Highway 37 in Novato, California on February 10, 2017. The road has been closed at least 14 days this winter due to flooding and extensive rain.

Photo: Josh Edelson, JOSH EDELSON / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

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A CalTrans truck drives along a flooded section of Highway 37 in Novato, California on February 10, 2017. The road has been closed at least 14 days this winter due to flooding and extensive rain.

A CalTrans truck drives along a flooded section of Highway 37 in Novato, California on February 10, 2017. The road has been closed at least 14 days this winter due to flooding and extensive rain.

Photo: Josh Edelson, JOSH EDELSON / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

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The California Department of Water Resources has suspended flows from the Oroville Dam spillway after a concrete section eroded on the middle section of the spillway. There is no anticipated threat to the dam or the public. DWR engineers are assessing the options to repair the spillway and control the reservoir water level. The Butte County facility is the tallest dam in the United States at 770 feet and is a key part of the State Water Project. Photo taken February 7, 2017. less

The California Department of Water Resources has suspended flows from the Oroville Dam spillway after a concrete section eroded on the middle section of the spillway. There is no anticipated threat to the dam ... more

Photo: Kelly M. Grow, California Department Of Water Resources

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The California Department of Water Resources has suspended flows from the Oroville Dam spillway after a concrete section eroded on the middle section of the spillway. There is no anticipated threat to the dam or the public. DWR engineers are assessing the options to repair the spillway and control the reservoir water level. The Butte County facility is the tallest dam in the United States at 770 feet and is a key part of the State Water Project. less

The California Department of Water Resources has suspended flows from the Oroville Dam spillway after a concrete section eroded on the middle section of the spillway. There is no anticipated threat to the dam ... more

Photo: Kelly M. Grow, California Department Of Water Resources

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A home is seen marooned as the surrounding property is submerged in flood water in Oroville, California on February 13, 2017. Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California Monday after a threat of catastrophic failure at the United States' tallest dam. Officials said the threat had subsided for the moment as water levels at the Oroville Dam, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Sacramento, have eased. But people were still being told to stay out of the area.

A home is seen marooned as the surrounding property is submerged in flood water in Oroville, California on February 13, 2017. Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California Monday

A woman rests in an emergency shelter on February 14, 2017 in Chico, California. More than 188,000 people were ordered to evacuate after a hole in the emergency spillway in the Oroville Dam threatened to flood the surrounding area. less

A woman rests in an emergency shelter on February 14, 2017 in Chico, California. More than 188,000 people were ordered to evacuate after a hole in the emergency spillway in the Oroville Dam threatened to flood ... more

Resident Francisco Villa checks on the condition of the river at the Driftwood Mobile Home Park, as theTuolumne River overflows its banks and continues to rise from water being released from Don Pedro Reservoir on Tuesday Feb. 21, 2017, in Modesto, Ca. less

Resident Francisco Villa checks on the condition of the river at the Driftwood Mobile Home Park, as theTuolumne River overflows its banks and continues to rise from water being released from Don Pedro Reservoir ... more

An orchard is turned to swamp land as flood waters rise near Oroville, California on February 13, 2017. Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California Monday after a threat of catastrophic failure at the United States' tallest dam. Officials said the threat had subsided for the moment as water levels at the Oroville Dam, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Sacramento, have eased. But people were still being told to stay out of the area.

An orchard is turned to swamp land as flood waters rise near Oroville, California on February 13, 2017. Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California Monday after a threat of

Riverbend Park is seen under flood water in Oroville, California on February 13, 2017. Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California Monday after a threat of catastrophic failure at the United States' tallest dam. Officials said the threat had subsided for the moment as water levels at the Oroville Dam, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Sacramento, have eased. But people were still being told to stay out of the area.

Riverbend Park is seen under flood water in Oroville, California on February 13, 2017. Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California Monday after a threat of catastrophic failure at

Highway 37 closed because of flooding near Highway 101 in Novato, Calif. on February 9th, 2017.

Highway 37 closed because of flooding near Highway 101 in Novato, Calif. on February 9th, 2017.

Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

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A mudslide spilled onto Olema Road in Fairfax as several areas around the North Bay flooded on Tuesday morning.

A mudslide spilled onto Olema Road in Fairfax as several areas around the North Bay flooded on Tuesday morning.

Photo: John Blanchard / The Chronicle / /

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A man paddles a canoe near an abandoned car on a flooded street Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Kentfield, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains swamp roads and threaten to overtop rivers and creeks. The National Weather Service says more than an inch of rain could fall in the San Francisco Bay Area during a series of storms this week. less

A man paddles a canoe near an abandoned car on a flooded street Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Kentfield, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

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Rain hits San Anselmo on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017.

Rain hits San Anselmo on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017.

Photo: William Disbrow

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A sign warning motorists of flooded roads is seen on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in San Anselmo, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains swamp roads and threaten to overtop rivers and creeks. The National Weather Service says more than an inch of rain could fall in the San Francisco Bay Area during a series of storms this week. less

A sign warning motorists of flooded roads is seen on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in San Anselmo, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains ... more

Center: Eight-year-old Maciej Sztachelski's umbrella begins to flip from the high winds during a storm on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in San Francisco, Calif. The National Weather Service announced flood, snow and wind advisories throughout the upper half of California. Sztachelski's father Szymon is seen on the left. less

Center: Eight-year-old Maciej Sztachelski's umbrella begins to flip from the high winds during a storm on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in San Francisco, Calif. The National Weather Service announced flood, snow and ... more

A tow truck operator walks past an overturned vehicle on the south bound lane next to a mudslide which caused the complete closure of Highway 17 north Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, south of Santa Cruz, Calif. Flash flood watches are in place for parts of Northern California down through the Central Coast as heavy rains swamp roads and threaten to overtop rivers and creeks. less

A tow truck operator walks past an overturned vehicle on the south bound lane next to a mudslide which caused the complete closure of Highway 17 north Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, south of Santa Cruz, Calif. Flash ... more

Some wells, particularly in Southern California, are still producing low groundwater, resulting in the severe drought designations for the area. Reservoirs in that region are also producing little runoff, Heim added.

Still, the rainfall in Southern California over the past week has made some impact in refilling the depleted water.

There was more than 8 inches of rain in Santa Barbara and about 13 inches in Ventura County, which helped streams refill reservoirs in the areas, according to the study.

The NOAA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln release weekly studies that examine the state’s precipitation levels, the Sierra snowpack, water levels in reservoirs, groundwater conditions and river flows.

State officials are expected to re-examine Gov. Jerry Brown’s declared drought emergency in the spring.